ENTERING WHERE GOD DWELLS
Opening Prayer
Lord, we rejoice in the fact that You own everything and everybody.
Read PSALM 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
The King of Glory in this psalm humbled himself by incarnating as a human and riding a donkey to his trial and death on behalf of those who believe in him.
Think Further
This processional psalm proclaims the sovereignty of God. We picture the pilgrims reaching the temple gates, singing this jubilant psalm responsively and joyfully answering the questions chanted by the priest: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (3); “Who is he, this King of glory?” (10).
Jesus would have known all the psalms; in his day everybody knew them! Matthew records that Jesus and the disciples sing a hymn, either a psalm or something from Passover liturgy. Whatever it is, they know it by heart. Back then, Scripture was painstakingly recorded on scrolls. Few people outside the temple or the synagogues owned one, but people could recite large slabs of Scripture and sing all of the psalms. This is not unknown today. I have been in church in a remote Vanuatu village where the song leader simply started singing and, without books, everyone joined in. We might be surprised how many songs we ourselves recall if someone starts to sing the tune.
This psalm would have been deeply meaningful to Jesus, as it confidently proclaims the sovereignty of God, affirming our human identity and declaring what God requires of humankind. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?” asks the same question as “Who can enter the kingdom of heaven?” This issue dominates Jesus’ teaching. Matthew records the phrase “kingdom of heaven” fifty times. In this psalm, the person who can enter must have “clean hands and a pure heart” (4) and be loyal to God alone. Jesus uses different imagery but his teachings are the same. Those who would enter the kingdom of heaven must be poor in spirit, childlike, and willing to serve God above all else.
Apply
We can only begin to process in our minds the splendor of the Lord’s glory. One day we will see it on full display.
Closing prayer
Lord, cleanse me from my sin and make me Your own.
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